Data Submittals to AQS

Nate Herbst

Southern Ute Indian Tribe

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Introduction to AQS

• What is the AQS?• Where do monitoring data end up?• Why is the AQS important?• How are data submitted to AQS?

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What is the AQS?AQS • EPA air quality database

– Contains• Site and monitor data• Raw data • Summary data• Precision and accuracy (P&A) data

• Air quality data come from – States– Cities and counties – Tribes

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What is the AQS? (cont.)

• AQS just moved from client server to CDX web-based format

• Web-based format allows online submittals, retrievals

• Web-based version should make submitting data easier

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Data Flow Diagram

• Analyzer collects data• Data Acquisition System (DAS) stores data• Data moved from DAS to computer on regular

basis• Raw data checked for errors • Raw data compared with logbooks and other

documentation

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Data Flow Diagram (cont.)• Null codes added for analyzer downtimes and

errors• Data submittal generated• Data submittal saved as text file• Data checked for errors before submittal • Data submitted directly to AQS or via contact

– Direct submittals require passwords, screener group access and AQS access privileges

– If you don’t have AQS access, your EPA contact can submit your data

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Types of Data

• Site and monitor data– Include site characteristics– Submitted only at start of monitoring or when

network modifications occur

• Raw data – Submitted at least quarterly– Raw data yield summary data

• P & A data– Submitted at least quarterly

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Data submittals Are Necessary

• Typically required by EPA– Unique circumstances

• Data are basic reason for monitoring• Most tribal AQ programs send data to EPA

contact• EPA contact submits data to AQS • You have 90 days after quarter ends to

submit quarterly data

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Data Submittals (cont.)

• Quarterly raw data and P&A data must be submitted

• Don’t put off any part of the process• Be prompt if

– You are submitting data directly – You are submitting data through EPA contact

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Raw Data• Data collected by analyzer• Converted to AQS format

– DAS software– EPA tools – Excel

• Data checked, additions made– Null codes added wherever needed

• Data checked to ensure correctness• Data are submitted

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Precision and Accuracy (P&A) Data

• Precision (repeatability) data• Precision checks (with zero)• 5-point verifications

• Accuracy (audit) data• Audits by RO or other than RO

• P&A data very important– They validate your ambient data– Without P&A data, monitoring data are useless

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P&A Data (cont.)• Stored in

– DAS– Logbooks and/or other documentation

• Converted to AQS format – DAS software– EPA tools (PARS software, Bill Frietche’s software)– Excel

• Checked and additions made– Null codes added wherever needed

• Checked to ensure they are correct• Data are submitted

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Data Submittal Format

New AQS formatRDIII08I067I7003I44201I1I1I007I053I20010701I00:00I0.028

I ITransaction

type

StateCounty

Site ID

Parameter

Units DateStart time

Sample value

MethodPOC

Action code

Sample duration

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Data Submittal Format (cont.)

• Old AQS format (still loadable)

Transaction type

State

County

Site ID

Parameter

Units

Date

Start time - 8hr intervals (000, 080, 160)

Sample values

MethodPOC

Sample duration

108067700342602110080530210010000003 0004 0005 0006 0007 0007 0011 0007 I

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Data-Loading Procedures

• Generate an AQS loadable file• Check to make sure everything is O.K• E-mail the file to your EPA contact if you don’t

have AQS privileges• If you do have AQS privileges follow the steps

on the next slides

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AQS Access

• Initially install AQS Web software available at www.epa.gov/ttn/airs/airsaqs/aqsweb/aqswebsetupo.htm

• Install JavaBean certificate at same address (under part 2 RegisterAQS.exe)

• Register on CDX (Central Data Exchange) at same address (under part 3 CDX registration)

• Go to:www.epa.gov/ttn/airs/airsaqs/aqsweb/aqswebhome.htm

– Click “proceed to AQS” – Click “I agree to terms and want to proceed to AQS”– Log into AQS (username, password and database).

– Click Admin tab and select Security synchronize passwords.

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Data Loading (steps 1-5)

1. Logon to AQS Web (enter username and password)

2. Click Batch then click batch load when box pops up

3. Click get file on left side (attach data text file)

4. Click load file

5. Enter password

AQS Web wasn’t released prior to publishing, so these steps may need to be done differently

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Data Loading (steps 1-5) 6. Click Edit Load Summary

a. Correct errors and resubmit data under Submit Corrected Data

b. Click Edit Load Summary to recheck

7. Click Stat CR8. Click Batch Report

a. Get Scan Reportb. Get Stat evaluation

9. Click Post if data are O.K (if not O.K fix them)10. Click Raw Data and then Post Data to Production

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Data-Loading Resources

• Follow AQSWeb data-loading protoco, found at www.epa.gov/airs/airsaqs/aqsweb

It will be under AqsWebQuickRefGuideV1.pdf• Other training materials found at www.epa.

gov/ttn/airs/airsaqs/manuals/manuals.htm

AQS Quick Reference Guide

This diagram and more info found at Quick Ref web address listed on previous page

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Summary

• Data submittals to AQS are necessary– Raw data– Precision data– Accuracy data

• Submit data within 90 days of quarter’s end• Keep up with your data submittals and the

monster will not become too big